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Golgi apparatus components in Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar after monensin treatment

Daniel Talamás-Lara1, Karla Acosta-Virgen1, Bibiana Chávez-Munguía1

  • 1Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Mexico City, Mexico.

Microscopy Research and Technique
|March 6, 2021
PubMed

Insights

This study challenges the long-held belief that Entamoeba amoebae lack a Golgi apparatus. Researchers found evidence of Golgi components in Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar using advanced microscopy and protein analysis.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Microbiology
  • Parasitology

Background:

  • Entamoeba species are protozoan parasites known for their unique cellular structures.
  • The absence of a Golgi apparatus has been a widely accepted characteristic of Entamoeba trophozoites.
  • This study investigates the presence of Golgi apparatus components in Entamoeba.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To challenge the established view of the absence of a Golgi apparatus in Entamoeba species.
  • To identify and characterize potential Golgi apparatus components in Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar.

Main Methods:

  • Incubation of Entamoeba with monensin to induce Golgi swelling.
  • Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and cryosubstitution for ultrastructural analysis.
  • Confocal microscopy and Western blot assays to detect Golgi resident proteins (GM130, TGN38).
  • Immunoelectron microscopy and NBD C6-ceramide labeling for antigen localization.

Main Results:

  • Monensin treatment revealed membranous lamellae resembling Golgi components in Entamoeba trophozoites.
  • Immunodetection confirmed the presence of cis-GM130 and trans-TGN38 Golgi antigens.
  • Co-localization studies and immunoblot assays further supported the identification of Golgi markers.

Conclusions:

  • The findings indicate the presence of previously undetected Golgi apparatus components in Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar.
  • This challenges the long-standing assumption of Golgi absence in these amoebae.
  • Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the structure and function of the Entamoeba Golgi apparatus.
Keywords:
Golgi apparatusGolgi resident proteinsamoebaecisternaemonensin

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